Ottawa has confirmed the death of Canadian mining executive Kirk Woodman in Burkina Faso. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland says Canada is working on the investigation with authorities in the west African country. (The Canadian Press)

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not apologizing for his government's insistence that Saudi Arabia release detained human rights activists. But Trudeau said Wednesday Canada is working towards diplomatic solutions to the spat. (The Canadian Press)

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is reassuring Canadians in Saudi Arabia that the Canadian Embassy in the country is still active. Saudi Arabia has expelled Canada's ambassador and frozen new trade deals. (The Canadian Press)

The federal government has turned over $11 million to Toronto to help pay for the costs of sheltering asylum seekers. Border Security Minister Bill Blair says hotel and motel rooms have been booked so asylum seekers can move out of dorms. (The Canadian Press)

The Ontario government is launching a constitutional challenge to a federal plan to impose a carbon tax on provinces without a carbon pricing system. The province’s environment minister says the tax would be economically “devastating.” (The Canadian Press)

A new Senate report notes no one has been held accountable for the pay problems of thousands of civil servants since the Phoenix system was launched. Sen. Mobina Jaffer says there is a systemic problem in government of avoiding responsibility. (The Canadian Press)

Ontario’s PC government announced Tuesday it will reform social assistance in the province. Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod says the government will have a new plan in 100 days to replace the Liberals’ “patchwork of handouts.” (The Canadian Press)

Police stood guard outside a Toronto funeral home on Monday, where mourners paid their respects to Reese Fallon. The 18-year-old was one of two young women slain in a mass shooting in the city’s Greektown last week. (The Canadian Press)

The Ontario government threw a wrench into Toronto municipal politics on Friday by announcing a huge reduction to the size of the city’s council. Toronto’s mayor and city councillors react to Premier Doug Ford’s proposed change. (The Canadian Press)

Jacob Hoggard’s lawyer, Ian Smith, made a brief statement after a court hearing in Toronto on Thursday, July 26, 2018. The Hedley frontman is charged with one count of sexual interference and two counts of sexual assault causing bodily harm. (The Canadian Press)